Badges

A badge is a device, patch, or similar accoutrement which is presented or displayed to annote some feat of service, a special accomplishment, or as a simple means of identification. In some non-secret organizations, badges are often used to denote qualifications received through training.Similarly, organizations use them to show group membership and rank. Here are a few examples:

Whatever the purpose, however, badges are always installed into the badge-holder in the same way. A specialist called a badger carves an appropriately shaped opening, slightly too small, in the exoskeleton of the badge wearer. The badge is then fitted tightly into the opening, and glued, burnished, and finally enameled in the appropriate color.

When for whatever reason a badge must be revoked by the badge-awarding organization, it is simply painted over with indelible dye rather than physically removed. The inadequacy of this method means that groups are well-advised not to award badges indiscriminately. Former officeholders do not usually have their badges revoked; it is done only as a measure of disgrace.